Saturday, November 2, 2013

Coffee. Oh yeah; java, Joe, latte, mocha, espresso. Gotta
have it. My mornings aren’t the same without it, and I find myself drinking it
through the day, nowadays. I’m a coffee drinker, true, but I’m certainly no
caffeine elitist. I savor good coffee, yes, but I drink a lot of gas station
stuff ‘cause for one thing it’s usually easy to come by – only in big cities
have I seen premium coffee shops at every other traffic light – and another
thing is the early morn gal at my usual gas stop doesn’t charge the regulars
for coffee. I like that.

Years ago I bought a
travel cup from a gas chain that advertised free refills with that cup. I had
the cup long enough for them to quit honoring that agreement and when I
reminded unknowing attendants I came off sounding like a whiner, so I kept quiet
and paid for my refill. There’s another gas/convenient store that I stopped at
every morning for a week while I was working in the area. When the owner was
there he'd say “get outta here” when I pulled my wallet out. The following
mornings I paid various young gals at the register 30 cents, 50 cents, 70
cents, and $1.06. Each morning there was a group of folks sitting at two tables
– you know, the local coffee club – who refilled their cups at will. I suppose
they had to raise the price as the week went on to pay for the gang helping
themselves to freebies. When you pay a buck or more to refill your own cup that
had better be some good coffee.

When I’m in a good coffee shop I know I’ll pay more and I
know the reasons why, so I’ll leave a tip. There are a bunch of franchises you
all know so I won’t try to name them because I actually only know a few of
them. There are other private, local, homegrown shops that not only sell and
serve specialty coffees, but usually some good eats, too. I’ve been to a number
of them in various towns and have always appreciated friendly service and
delicious goods, and I admire the folks trying to bring something special and
classy to their community. I wish them well ‘cause I’ll want to stop by next
time through.

I live with the belief that coffee was invented to make
river water taste better. That’s kind of outdated thinking considering today’s
java has to come from beans grown on the right mountain or jungle, by the right
people who bring it in on the backs of the right donkeys, to be brewed with
only the right spring water. Well then, ok, like I said: I drink plenty of
coffee that’s fast, convenient, and cheap. That doesn’t mean it’s my favorite.

Coffee is something of a staple for the outdoorsman. It
wakes us in the morning and keeps us awake on those long night-time drives we
often find ourselves taking. We drink it during the day to quench whatever that
unexplainable urge is to have something tasty in our mouths. The smell alone
conjures up memories of duck blinds, deer camps, trout streams and all manner
of countless happy experiences. And sometimes you just have to brew a pot of
coffee to relax and take time for a break. I keep a sealed strongbox in my
truck that contains a pot, some coffee grounds, and a camp stove and I can’t
tell you the times that fresh brewed coffee has brightened and fortified the
day.

There’s a fly shop motto that proclaims “Fight big fish and
drink good beer!” I won’t argue with that but my beer drinking tends to
parallel my coffee drinking. I like good beer, that’s a fact, but I often open
a brew that’s known to be easily affordable, if you catch my drift. And as far
as fitting drinkables for the outdoorsman is concerned I’ll admit that a good
bourbon is one of life’s finest and most welcome pleasures. Now wait! I know, I
know, some folks favor blended whiskey… think “Crown,” which I’ve been known to
partake in, or perhaps a little of the Irish when in the right company. Though
while I’ve been known to produce a small flask to celebrate a particularly fine
fish that’s been landed and a streamside beer can certainly wash down a hearty
sandwich, we’ll keep those libations reserved for end of the day compliments
when hunting.

Tony and I partook in some of those evening beverages at an
early season grouse camp a month ago and sat around the fire discussing, among
other things, good coffee. Tony has access to many of the best known coffee
shops and has his favorites ranked in order. I mentioned how I liked our new
local shop with their awesome coffees, baristas, décor, and menu but added I
really didn’t think I was the kind of guy to hang around a cool coffee shop, no
matter how much I like to. Besides, I seldom have the time. Tony agreed that I
probably didn’t have time, but he reckoned that I am the kind of guy to hang out
there. I took it as a compliment.

About Me

Lucky enough to be raised by an outdoorsman father, I've been messing around with dogs, guns, fishing rods, canoes, tents, snowshoes, etc., my entire life. And it's not over yet. I like good bourbon, good books, and honest, genuine folks. Good fishing and happy hunting to you. -- Al Ranfranz